CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 146-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2284

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 2284, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A WILDFIRE FORECAST SYSTEM FOR HAWAII,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a two-year program at the University of Hawaii to develop a wildfire forecast system for the State using artificial intelligence; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the threat of wildfires has increased in recent years, necessitating proactive evacuation planning, risk mitigation, and updated data in the event of natural disasters. By forecasting wildfires, the State can streamline rapid response and suppression efforts focused on specific community needs while ensuring first responders are adequately informed and prepared. Therefore, this measure will enhance emergency management and wildfire mitigation preparedness procedures in the State to help protect communities against future emergencies.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an appropriation amount of $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the development of the wildfire forecast system;

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2024; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2284, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2284, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ LINDA ICHIYAMA Co-Chair	____________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM Chair
____________________________ CHRIS TODD Co-Chair	____________________________ GLENN WAKAI Co-Chair
____________________________ MAHINA POEPOE Co-Chair	____________________________ MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO Co-Chair